Karen Morrow
CBF Field Personnel in Fort Worth, TX
Serving among refugees, I have learned so many things about prayer practices from other cultures and traditions. For some, scripted prayers are the norm, while others prefer spontaneous prayer. Some prayer practices I’ve witnessed are quiet and reverent, while other practices are more demonstrative, with movement or words. One beautiful prayer practice I’ve seen from my Muslim neighbors is the practice of receiving blessing.
Often, I have the privilege of closing my visits with each family in a spoken prayer of blessing for them. I try to use very simple language so they are able to follow along with limited English skills. But I know that even if they can’t fully understand my words, they can still feel the spirit and power of the prayer, because they show me through their body language.
When I begin to pray, they open their hands, palms facing up, and extend their hands toward me. I have learned this is a sign of submission to God.
When I finish my spoken prayer, they often smile, and there is a deep sense of peace that settles into the space. Then, they bring their open palms up to their forehead, and slowly move their hands down the front of their face and torso. It is a symbol of their receiving the blessing I have offered, absorbing God’s mercy and grace.
It is a simple movement, but it communicates so much:
“I feel and receive your prayer for me.”
“I surrender to God’s movement between us.”
“I am grateful for your visit.”
“Thank you.”
It is a powerful, and holy moment. And through it, I have come to realize that prayer is a place where we meet one another, beyond language barriers and cultural differences. Prayer is a place where God’s spirit stirs in us, even beyond words. Prayer becomes a universal language.
PRAY . . . GIVE . . . GO . . .